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 St. Paul's Episcopal Church Named an Excellent Church in Nationwide Study St. Paul's Episcopal Church of San Antonio, TX, was named one of America's outstanding Protestant churches in a nationwide study. A team of researchers from the Parish/Congregation Study, based at the University of North Carolina at Wilmington, spent two years searching for local church excellence. "St. Paul's Episcopal Church was clearly the type of church we were looking for," said the study's director, Paul Wilkes, an author and a professor at UNCW. "We looked for churches that nurtured the spirit, welcomed and yet challenged, both preached and--more importantly--lived the Good News. St. Paul's Episcopal Church is that kind of church." The study, underwritten by a grant from the Lilly Endowment, combed the country for the best examples of local church excellence, both Protestant and Catholic. Size or location, denominational affiliation or lack of one were not important, but a certain "habit of being" was. "These churches we found are simply wonderful places to be. They not only take care of their members and the newcomer, but reach out generously into the world. I am absolutely amazed with the abundance of goodness and greatness that was found," Wilkes said. The study identified 300 excellent Protestant congregations and 300 excellent Catholic parishes nationwide, which are included in two companion books: Excellent Protestant Congregations: The Guide to Best Places and Practices (Westminster John Knox) and Excellent Catholic Parishes: The Guide to Best Places and Practices (Paulist Press). Both published in April 2001. Paul Wilkes, the project director, is the author of numerous books and articles on religious belief and practice, including, Beyond the Walls: Monastic Wisdom for Everyday Life. Melanie Bruce and Marty Minchin are the study's research associates. 
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